Having your Mac claim there’s not enough disk space when you know there should be plenty free can be frustrating. But don’t worry, there are several potential reasons why this happens and solutions you can try to fix it.
Quick Answers
Here are some quick answers to common questions about the “not enough disk space” error on Mac:
What causes the “not enough disk space” error on Mac?
Potential causes include full trash bin, malware/viruses, disk permissions issues, bloated system files, inactive store files, or issues with Time Machine backups.
How can I free up disk space on my Mac?
Empty trash bin, delete unused apps/files, optimize photos, turn on optimize storage, disable local Time Machine backups, or remove inactive store files.
Why does my Mac say no storage when I delete files?
The newly freed up space may not register right away. Try restarting your Mac or running Disk Utility to refresh the free disk space.
How do I fix the disk permission errors?
You can fix disk permission errors by verifying/repairing disk permissions in Disk Utility or using a tool like OnyX to rebuild disk permissions.
What Causes “Not Enough Disk Space” Errors on Mac?
There are several potential culprits that could be causing your Mac to erroneously claim there is not enough available disk space:
1. Full Trash Bin
If your Trash bin contains a lot of deleted files, your Mac may read this as being full on disk space. Try emptying the Trash and then checking your available space again.
2. Malware or Viruses
Malware and viruses can sometimes infect your Mac and take up space by installing unwanted programs or copying files. Run antivirus software to check for and remove any malware.
3. Disk Permissions Issues
Problems with disk permissions settings can lead to storage errors like “not enough disk space.” Verify/repair disk permissions in Disk Utility.
4. Bloated System Files
Over time, system files like caches and logs can become bloated and report inaccurate storage use. Deleting these files may free up space.
5. Inactive Store Files
Old inactive files from the app store can build up and falsely report they are taking up space. Removing these inactive store files can resolve this.
6. Time Machine Backups
If your Time Machine backups are stored locally rather than on an external drive, they can quickly fill up your startup disk.
How to Free Up Disk Space on Mac
If you’ve determined the “not enough disk space” error is not being caused by any of the above issues, then your Mac likely truly is low on free space. Here are some tips for freeing up disk space on Mac:
Empty the Trash Bin
Emptying the Trash bin can free up gigabytes of space previously used by deleted files. Just remember, once you empty the trash those files are gone forever.
Delete Unused Apps
Remove any apps you no longer need. Click and drag an app to the Trash to uninstall it. This also removes related files that were taking up space.
Delete Large Unneeded Files
Scan your storage and look for large files you no longer need, such as old backups, installers, or unused downloads. Consider an app like OmniDiskSweeper to find large unwanted files.
Optimize Photos
If you have a lot of photos/videos, use the Optimize Photos setting in Apple Photos to compress them and save space.
Turn On Optimize Storage
The Optimize Storage setting in About This Mac will automatically remove old files from your Mac as space starts to run low.
Disable Local Time Machine Backups
If backing up locally to your startup disk, exclude that drive from Time Machine or instead backup to an external hard drive.
Remove Inactive App Store Files
Use a utility like AppCleaner to find and remove inactive app store files that may still be taking up space.
Why Does My Mac Say No Storage After Deleting Files?
Sometimes even after you delete large files or uninstall apps, your Mac’s available storage space does not increase. There are two common reasons this can happen:
macOS Has Not Updated Storage Stats
The first and most common reason is that macOS has not updated the disk usage statistics after you deleted the files. The newly freed up space is available, but macOS does not always register this immediately.
Try restarting your Mac – this will update all disk usage statistics and should now show the correct free space available. You can also try an app like Disk Inventory X to rescan and update the free space numbers.
Deleted Files are Still in Trash Bin
The other scenario is you deleted files, but left them in the Trash bin rather than emptying the Trash. Even though the files are marked for deletion, they will continue taking up space until you empty the Trash.
So remember to always empty the Trash after deleting large files. After emptying the Trash, the free space should update accordingly.
How to Fix Disk Permission Errors on Mac
As mentioned previously, disk permission errors can sometimes lead to incorrect “not enough disk space” errors. Here are two ways to fix disk permission problems on your Mac startup disk:
Verify/Repair Disk Permissions
You can verify and repair disk permissions using the Disk Utility app. Simply open Disk Utility, select your startup disk, click First Aid, then select Verify/Repair Disk Permissions. This will check for and fix any permission issues.
Rebuild Permissions with OnyX
The free OnyX utility has an option to rebuild disk permissions from scratch. Download OnyX, open it, go to the Maintenance section, and select Rebuild. This will thoroughly rebuild the permissions.
You may need to repeat this process 2-3 times to fully resolve any lingering permission issues.
When to Seek Professional Help
Using the solutions outlined above should resolve most common “not enough disk space” errors for the average user. But if you have attempted all of the basic fixes with no success, it may be time to seek professional help.
An expert Apple technician has additional tools at their disposal to accurately diagnose storage problems. They can run extensive checks for disk corruption, perform manual repairs, or fully reformat the drive if needed.
We recommend seeking professional assistance if:
- Available space stays low after trying all standard fixes
- You experience frequent disk permission or file corruption issues
- You cannot repair disk errors even after reinstalling macOS
Continuing to use a malfunctioning disk can result in data loss. An Apple expert can determine if your Mac’s hardware itself needs repair or replacement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my Mac say it has no storage when I haven’t added anything?
This is likely caused by system files or caches gradually accumulating over time, rather than a single new addition filling up space. Try clearing cached files and running maintenance scripts to reclaim storage.
How do I delete other storage on my Mac?
“Other storage” is usually cache files, logs, or inactive app data. You can clear up other storage by using the Optimize Storage setting, deleting app caches or running a system cleaner tool.
Why is my storage full when I barely have anything?
It may be caused by hidden files like system caches/logs, Time Machine local snapshots, or bloated downloads folder. Apps like DaisyDisk can help track down where exactly your storage is being used.
What takes up the most storage on Mac?
Photos and videos generally use the most storage for average users. But system files, downloads, Time Machine, and individual apps like Garageband or Xcode can also take up significant amounts of space.
How do I recover storage on Mac without losing anything?
Enabling Optimize Storage to automatically remove unneeded files is a safe way to regain space. You can also optimize photos, empty caches folders, delete old downloads and safely remove unused apps without losing important files.
Conclusion
Running into the “not enough disk space” error even when you seem to have plenty of room left can certainly be annoying. But in most cases, the solutions are straightforward – empty the trash, delete old files, optimize photos, turn on storage optimization, remove inactive app data, or fix disk permission errors.
Following the troubleshooting steps outlined here will help track down and resolve most instances of this common disk space issue on Mac. But if you continue experiencing storage problems even after trying these fixes, consulting with an Apple support technician is recommended to investigate potential underlying hardware or file system issues.